Boston to close 65 churches

The Archdiocese of Boston announced yesterday that it will be closing 70 parishes, but creating five new ones. Sixty church buildings will be closed in the reorganization.

Church officials said the archdiocese was forced to make this decision because of a decline in the number of parishioners, priests and funds. The archdiocese’s financial problems are caused, in part, by a lag in the amount of funds given to the Boston Church since the sexual-abuse scandal.

Archbishop Sean O'Malley said 130 pastors are older than 70 and its buildings in the city of Boston need more than $100 million in repairs.

More than one-third of Boston parishes are operating in the red, said the archbishop in a release.